Method for mounting computer components

ABSTRACT

A method for removably mounting to a chassis a computer component having a first surface with a first aperture extending therein and a second surface having a second aperture therein. The method includes inserting a first protrusion of an attachment assembly into the first aperture and inserting a second protrusion of the assembly into the second aperture to restrict motion of the assembly relative to the component. The method further includes engaging a first portion of the assembly with a first surface of the chassis facing the first portion, and engaging a second portion of the assembly with a second surface of the chassis facing the second portion to restrict motion of the component relative to the chassis.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed toward a method for removably mountinga computer component to a chassis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Computer components such as floppy disk drives, hard disk drives, CD-ROMdrives and the like are typically manufactured separately from thecomputer housing or chassis and are then mounted in the computer chassisduring final assembly. The chassis may take the form of a floor-mounted“tower” unit or a desk-mounted unit. In either case, the chassis has aslot positioned to receive the component. Two brackets are mounted tothe component so that when the component is inserted into the slot, thebrackets engage the slot and secure the component therein. The componentis inserted into the chassis slot when the computer is assembled, andmay later be removed for servicing or replacement.

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional computer chassis 10 having an aperture20 sized to receive a floppy disk drive 30. A bracket 40 is attached toeach side of the floppy disk drive 30. Each bracket 40 has a clip 42 inwhich a transverse channel 43 is formed. The transverse channel 43engages an edge of the aperture 20 to prevent the floppy disk drive 30from unintentionally sliding out of the aperture.

In one conventional installation, the bracket 40 is attached to the diskdrive 30 by inserting a dimple 44 of the bracket into a first threadedhole 36 of the disk drive. A screw 50 is then passed through a hole 45in the bracket 40 and threaded into a second threaded hole 38 of thedisk drive 30. In one alternate conventional installation, the screw 50is eliminated and the dimple 44 alone secures the bracket 40 to the diskdrive 30. In another alternate conventional installation, the dimple 44is replaced with a hole (not shown), and the screw 50 is passed throughthe hole and threaded into the first threaded hole 36 of the disk drive30 to attach the bracket 40 to the disk drive.

The conventional methods for attaching the bracket 40 to the disk drive30 suffer from several drawbacks. Where the screw 50 is threaded throughthe second threaded hole 38, the head of the screw may catch on an edgeof the aperture 20 as the disk drive 30 is inserted into the aperture.As a result, the aperture 20 may not completely receive the disk drive30 and the disk drive may move about within the aperture, possiblycausing damage to the chassis or the disk drive. Alternatively, if thescrew 50 catches on the aperture 20 and the disk drive 30 isnevertheless forced into the aperture 20, metal chips may be strippedfrom the head of the screw and may damage components within the computerchassis. The damaged screw 50 may also make removal of the bracket 40for servicing difficult.

Where the screw 50 is eliminated, the dimple 44 only loosely secures thebracket 40 to the disk drive 30, possibly allowing the disk drive tomove about within the aperture 20. Where the screw 50 is threadedthrough the first threaded hole 36, the screw may again catch on theaperture 20. Furthermore, threading or unthreading the screw 50 toinstall or remove the bracket 40 is a time consuming operation.

In addition to the foregoing drawbacks, the clip 42 may not adequatelyengage the chassis 10. As a result, the disk drive 30 may move withinthe aperture 20, possibly causing damage to the chassis or the diskdrive, as discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed, in part, toward a method forremovably mounting a computer component to a chassis. The computercomponent has a first surface with a first aperture extending thereinand a second surface having a second aperture extending therein. In oneembodiment, the method comprises inserting a first protrusion of anattachment assembly into the first aperture of the component andinserting a second protrusion of the attachment assembly into the secondaperture of the component. The method may further comprise resistingmotion of the first protrusion out of the first aperture by engaging thesecond protrusion with the second aperture. The method may still furthercomprise resisting pivotal motion of the assembly about the firstprotrusion by engaging the second protrusion with the second aperture.

In another embodiment, the method comprises engaging a first portion ofthe attachment assembly with a first surface of the computer chassisfacing the first portion, and engaging a second portion of the assemblywith a second surface of the chassis facing the second portion andfacing opposite the first surface of the chassis. The method may furthercomprise inserting the component into an aperture of the chassis andbiasing the component toward a surface of the aperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of a computer chassis, floppy diskdrive, and mounting bracket in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of a computer chassis, computercomponent, and attachment assemblies in accordance with one embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged isometric view of an attachment assembly shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an attachment assembly in accordance witha first alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an attachment assembly in accordance witha second alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an attachment assembly in accordance witha third alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is embodied in an apparatus and method forremovably mounting a computer component to a chassis. An aspect of theinvention is that an attachment assembly in accordance with theinvention may be mounted to the computer component without the use ofscrews or other attachment means which require assembly tools. A furtheraspect of the invention is that an embodiment of the attachment assemblymay secure the computer component to the computer chassis, potentiallyreducing the likelihood that the computer component will move relativeto the chassis and damage the chassis or the component. FIGS. 2-6illustrate various embodiments of the apparatus and methods, and likereference numbers refer to like parts throughout the figures.

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of a computer chassis 140 and arepresentative computer component 130. The chassis 140 has a front panel141 with an aperture 142 sized and shaped to accommodate the component130. Two attachment assemblies 100 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention are releasably connected to the component 130 without theuse of tools. When the component 130 and attachment assemblies 100 areinserted as a unit into the aperture 142, respective chassis couplingmembers 110 of the attachment assemblies 100 engage the chassis 140 andrestrict motion of the computer component 130 into and out of theaperture 142.

The computer component 130 has an upper surface 131, lower surface 132and side surfaces 133 intermediate the upper and lower surfaces. Firstapertures 134 are positioned in the upper surface 131 and secondapertures 135 are positioned in each side surface 133. The apertures 134and 135 may be threaded, but, as discussed below, the apertures need notbe threaded for proper operation of the attachment assemblies 100. Thecomponent 130 further includes an aft surface 136, which may be insertedinto the aperture 142 of the chassis 140, and a forward surface 137which may remain accessible to a user after the component has beeninserted into the aperture. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, thecomponent 130 is representative of a floppy disk drive; in otherembodiments the component may be any computer component which isremovably attachable to the chassis 140.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged isometric view of one of the attachment assemblies100 shown in FIG. 2. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the attachment assembly100 preferably comprises an attachment member 102, which engages thecomponent 130, and the chassis coupling member 110, which engages thechassis 140. The attachment member 102 comprises a first engaging member103 connected by a second engaging member 105 to a third engaging member104. The first and third engaging members 103 and 104 are preferablyspaced apart a sufficient distance so that the first engaging member 103may slidably engage the upper surface 131 of the component 130 while thethird engaging member 104 slidably engages the lower surface 132 of thecomponent. In one embodiment, the second engaging 105 is perpendicularto the first and third engaging members 103 and 104, so that theattachment member 102 conforms to the orthogonal surfaces of thecomponent 130. In alternate embodiments, the engaging members 103, 104,and 105 have different orientations relative to one another,corresponding to components 130 having shapes other than the shape shownin FIGS. 2 and 3.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, the engaging members 103, 104, and105, which together comprise the attachment member 102, are formed froma single sheet of resilient material folded along fold lines 106. In afurther aspect of this embodiment, the attachment member 102 may beformed from a spring-like material, such as stainless steel, and thefirst and third engaging members 103 and 104 may be inclined slightlytoward each other. Accordingly, when the attachment member 102 engagesthe component 130, the first and third engaging members 103 and 104 tendto clamp the component therebetween, restricting the motion of theattachment assembly 100 relative to the component. The second engagingmember 105 preferably engages the side surface 133 of the component 130,further restricting motion of the attachment assembly 100 relative tothe component.

The attachment member 102 preferably has first and second protrusions107 and 108 formed in the first and second engaging members 103 and 105.The first protrusion 107 bulges downwardly toward the upper surface 131of the component 130, and the second protrusion 108 bulges inwardlytoward the side surface 133 of the component 130. The protrusions 107and 108 have circular cross-sectional shapes corresponding to therespective circular cross-sectional shapes of the apertures 134 and 135so that they may be received by the first and second apertures 134 and135, respectively.

When the attachment assembly 100 is positioned such that the firstengaging member 103 is adjacent the upper surface 131 and the secondengaging member 105 is adjacent the side surface 133, the first andsecond protrusions 107 and 108 are received by the first and secondapertures 134 and 135, respectively, to secure the attachment assembly100 to the component 130. In alternate embodiments, where the component130 and attachment member 102 may have different corresponding shapes,the protrusions 107 and 108 are similarly received by aperturespositioned in surfaces of the component which are in different planes.Accordingly, the protrusions restrict motion of the attachment assembly100 relative to the component, regardless of the component's shape.

In a preferred embodiment, the first and second protrusions 107 and 108are longitudinally offset from each other so that the second protrusionengages the component 130 closer to the forward surface 137 of thecomponent than does the first protrusion. The second protrusion 108accordingly resists forces which may tend to pivot the attachmentassembly 102 away from the component 130 about the first protrusion 107.Similarly, the first protrusion 107 resists forces which may tend topivot the attachment assembly 102 away from the component 130 about thesecond protrusion 108.

The protrusions 107 and 108 are preferably formed by stamping theattachment member 102 to extrude spherical-shaped dimples therein. Inalternate embodiments, other methods may be used to form theprotrusions. In further alternate embodiments, the protrusions 107 and108 may have shapes other than spherical shapes, such as conical shapes,so long as they snugly engage the first and second apertures 134 and135. Protrusions with further alternate shapes will be discussed ingreater detail with reference to FIG. 4.

The attachment assembly 100 is preferably attached to the component 130by bending the attachment member 102 along the fold lines 106 toslightly spread the first engaging member 103 away from the thirdengaging member 104. The attachment member 102 is then preferablyslipped over the component 130 such that the first engaging member 103is proximate the upper surface 131 and the third engaging member 104 isproximate the lower surface 132. The first protrusion 107 is alignedwith the first aperture 134 and the second protrusion 108 is alignedwith the second aperture 135. The first and third engaging members 103and 104 are then released such that the first and second protrusions 107and 108 snap into engagement with the first and second apertures 134 and135, respectively. Although the first and third engaging members 103 and104 may engage the upper and lower surfaces 131 and 132 of the component130, and the second engaging member 105 may engage the side surface 133,it is not necessary that they do so, so long as the protrusions 107 and108 extend sufficiently far into the respective first and secondapertures 134 and 135 to restrict motion of the attachment member 102relative to the component 130.

If for any reason the attachment assembly 100 must later be removed fromthe component 130, the attachment assembly may be disengaged from thecomponent by bending the attachment member 102 along the fold lines 106to slightly spread the first engaging member 103 from the third engagingmember 104. The attachment member 102 is then moved laterally away fromthe component.

An advantage of the attachment member 102 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is thatit may be conveniently attached to the component 130 without the use ofassembly tools. Accordingly, the time and effort required to couple theattachment member 102 to the component 130 is reduced. Similarly, thetime and effort required to remove the attachment assembly 100 from thecomponent 130, is also reduced. Furthermore, because assembly tools arenot required to couple the attachment member 102 to the component 130,the likelihood that a tool will inadvertently slip during assembly anddamage the component is greatly reduced.

Another advantage of the attachment member 102 is that the first andsecond protrusions 107 and 108 together substantially restrict motion ofthe attachment member 102 and attachment assembly 100 relative to thecomponent 130. The first protrusion 107 engages the first aperture 134to substantially restrict motion of the attachment member 102 relativeto the component 130 along a lateral axis (extending between the sidesurfaces 133) and along a longitudinal axis (extending between theforward surface 137 and the aft surface 136). The second protrusion 108engages the second aperture 135 to substantially restrict motion of theattachment member 102 along both the longitudinal axis and a verticalaxis (extending between the upper surface 131 and the lower surface132). Accordingly, because the first and second protrusions 107 and 108engage apertures positioned in different planes of the component 130,they act together to restrict motion of the attachment member 102relative to the component along three orthogonal axes. Furthermore, byresisting lateral motion of the attachment member 102 relative to thecomponent 130, the first protrusion 107 reduces the likelihood that thesecond protrusion 108 will disengage laterally from the second aperture135. Similarly, by resisting vertical motion of the attachment member102 relative to the component 130, the second protrusion 108 reduces thelikelihood that the first component will disengage vertically from thefirst aperture 134. In addition, the first protrusion 107 may resist anytendency for the attachment member 102 to pivot about the secondprotrusion 108, and the second protrusion may resist any tendency forthe attachment member to pivot about the first protrusion, as discussedpreviously.

Yet another advantage of the attachment member 102 is that existingcomponents 130 are typically provided with first and second apertures134 and 135 already in place. Accordingly, the attachment member 102 maybe easily attached to existing components without requiring that thecomponents be modified.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the attachment member 102 is connected to thechassis coupling member 110 which in turn engages the chassis 140. Inone embodiment, the chassis coupling member 110 includes a first endportion 111 attached to the first engaging member 103. A second endportion 112 opposite the first end portion 111 is adapted to engage thecomputer chassis 140 when the attachment assembly 100 and component 130are inserted into the component aperture 142. The first end portion 111and second end portion 112 are connected by a biasing portion 113 whichtends to bias the second end portion away from the first engaging member103.

In one embodiment, the second end portion 112 includes a first portion114 having a first surface 115 facing forward. The second end portion112 further includes a second portion 116 having a second surface 117facing aft. The first and second portions 114 and 116 are connected by aconnection portion 118 which, together with the first and secondportions, forms a channel 119. The channel 119 is sized and shaped toreceive an upper edge 146 of the component aperture 142, as will bediscussed in greater detail below.

In a preferred embodiment, the biasing portion 113, which connects thesecond end portion 112 to the first end portion 111, extends away fromthe first engaging member 103 at an angle a in the range ofapproximately 30° to approximately 45°. In alternate embodiments, thebiasing portion 113 has other angles relative to the first engagingmember 103, so long as the biasing portion provides sufficient force torestrict motion of the component 130 within the aperture 142, asdiscussed below, and does not provide so much force as to unduly impedeinsertion of the component into the aperture.

In operation, two attachment assemblies 100 are connected to thecomponent 130, one adjacent each side surface 133 of the component, asdiscussed above. The component 130, with attachment assemblies 100 inplace, is then inserted into the component aperture 142 such that thelower surface 132 of the computer component is adjacent a lower surface145 of the chassis 140.

As the component 130 is inserted into the aperture 142, the biasingportions 113 engage the upper edge 146 of the aperture and tend to biasthe component toward the lower surface 145. When the component 130 isfully inserted into the component aperture 142, each chassis couplingmember 110 snaps into engagement with the aperture upper edge 146 suchthat the first surface 115 engages an inner surface 143 of the panel 141and the second surface 117 engages an outer surface 144 of the panel.Accordingly, the upper edge 146 fits snugly within the channel 119formed by the first and second surfaces, and the component 130 isrestricted from further motion either into or out of the componentaperture 142. The biasing portion 113 of each chassis coupling member110 tends to bias the computer component 130 against the lower surface145 of the aperture, further restricting motion of the component withinthe aperture. At the same time, the biasing portion 113 biases thesecond end portion 112 upwardly into engagement with the upper edge 146of the aperture 142. The biasing portion 113 also biases the firstprotrusion 107 into engagement with the first aperture 134 of thecomponent 130, reducing the likelihood that the attachment assembly 100will disengage from the component.

To remove the component 130 from the component aperture 142, the userdepresses the second end portions 112 of the chassis coupling members110 downwardly toward the computer component 130 until the upper edge146 no longer extends into the channels 119. The component 130 can thenbe slid outwardly from the component aperture 142.

An advantage of the chassis coupling member 110 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3is that it substantially prevents the component 130 from beinginadvertently moved either toward or away from the aperture 142 onceinstalled therein. A further advantage of the chassis coupling member110 is that the biasing portion 113 extends at a relatively steep angleaway from the first engaging member 103. The steep angle increases thenormal force between the lower surface 145 of the chassis aperture 142and the lower surface 132 of the component 130 and between the chassiscoupling member 110 and the upper edge 146 of the aperture, furtherreducing the likelihood that the component will accidentally slip out ofthe component aperture 142. The steep angle also tends to urge the firstprotrusion 107 into engagement with the fist aperture 134, as discussedabove.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a first alternate embodiment of anattachment assembly 100 in which the attachment member 102 comprises afirst engaging member 103 connected to a second engaging member 105without a third engaging member 104. The first protrusion 107 ispositioned on the first engaging member 103 and the second protrusion108 is positioned on the second engaging member 105. The first andsecond protrusions 107 and 108 are received by the first and secondapertures 134 and 135 of the component 130, substantially as discussedpreviously with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3. The protrusions 107 and 108extend sufficiently far into the respective apertures 134 and 135 tofirmly engage the attachment member 102 with the component 130,eliminating the need, for the attachment member 102 to engage the lowersurface 132 of the component.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first engaging member 103 is disposed at anangle of approximately 90° relative to the second engaging member 105,corresponding to an angle between the upper surface 131 and side surface133 of the component 130. In an alternate embodiment, the first engagingmember 103 is disposed at an angle of slightly less than 90° relative tothe second engaging member 105. Accordingly, the first and secondengaging members 103 and 105 tend to clamp the component 130therebetween and tend to urge the first and second protrusions 107 and108 into firm engagement with inner surfaces of the first and secondapertures 134 and 135, respectively. In further alternate embodiments,the angle between the first and second engaging members 103 and 105 hasother values corresponding to components 130 having other angles betweenthe surfaces engaged by the engaging members.

An advantage of the attachment assembly 100 shown in FIG. 4 is that theamount of material required to manufacture the attachment assembly isreduced by eliminating the third engaging member 104. A furtheradvantage is that the attachment assembly 102 does not extend around thelower surface 132 of the component 130, reducing the tendency for theattachment assembly to catch on a lower edge 47 of the chassis aperture142 as the component is inserted therein.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a second alternate embodiment of anattachment assembly 100 in which the first and second protrusions 107 aand 108 a have rectangular, rather than circular, cross-sectionalshapes. The protrusions 107 a and 108 a accordingly engage first andsecond component apertures (not shown) which have correspondingrectangular cross-sectional shapes so that motion of the attachmentassembly 100 with respect to the component 130 is restricted. Theprotrusions 107 a and 108 a may project from the first and secondengaging members 103 and 105, as shown in FIG. 5, or may project fromfirst and third engaging members 103 and 104 as discussed below withreference to FIG. 6. In further alternate embodiments, the first andsecond protrusions 107 a and 108 a may have other shapes which areremovably received by corresponding apertures of the component 130.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a third alternate embodiment of anattachment assembly 100 in which the second protrusion 108 b ispositioned on the third engaging member 104. The second protrusion 108 bis positioned to engage a corresponding aperture (not shown) positionedon the lower surface of the computer component 130. Accordingly, thefirst and second protrusions 107 and 108 b substantially restrict motionof the attachment assembly 100 relative to the component 130. In furtheralternate embodiments, the protrusions have other locationscorresponding to apertures positioned in the component 130, so long asthe protrusions engage apertures positioned in surfaces of the componentwhich are oriented in different planes. The protrusions accordinglyrestrict motion of the attachment assembly relative to the component, asdiscussed above. In still further alternate embodiments, more than twoprotrusions engage the component 130 to restrict motion of the assembly100 relative to the component.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specificembodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes ofillustration, various modifications may be made without deviating fromthe spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is notlimited except as by the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A method for restraining motion of a computer componentrelative to a chassis, comprising: releasably coupling an attachmentassembly to the computer component without threaded fasteners byinserting a first protrusion of the attachment assembly into a firstaperture in a first surface of the computer component and inserting asecond protrusion of the attachment assembly into a second aperture in asecond surface of the computer component, the second surface beingnon-parallel to the first surface: engaging a first portion of theattachment assembly with a forward-facing surface of the chassis facingthe first portion; and engaging a second portion of the attachmentassembly facing the first portion of the attachment assembly with arearward-facing surface of the chassis facing the second potion andfacing opposite the first surface of the chassis to resist motion of thecomputer component toward or away from We chassis, with the secondportion being fixedly coupled to the first portion and the first andsecond portions being flexibly coupled to the attachment assembly, thefirst portion accessible from a region external to the chassis adjacentthe forward-facing surface of the chassis.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein the first protrusion extends away from a first surface of theassembly and the second protrusion extends away from a second surface ofthe assembly, further comprising: spreading the first and secondsurfaces of the assembly apart to remove the first protrusion from thefirst aperture.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein inserting the firstprotrusion results in biasing at least the first protrusion toward thefirst aperture of the component.
 4. The method of claim 1 whereininserting the first protrusion into the first aperture results inresisting motion of the second protrusion out of the second aperture. 5.The method of claim 1 wherein inserting the second protrusion into thesecond aperture results in resisting pivotal motion of the assemblyabout the first protrusion.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein insertingthe first protrusion into the first aperture results in resistingpivotal motion of the assembly about the second protrusion.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising inserting the component into anaperture of the chassis.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:inserting the component into an aperture of the chassis; and biasing thecomponent toward a surface of the aperture.
 9. A method for restrainingmotion of component relative to a chassis, comprising: releasablycoupling an attachment assembly to the computer component withoutthreaded fasteners: engaging a first portion of an attachment assemblypositioned toward a first surface of the component with a forward-facingsurface of the chassis facing the first portion of the attachmentassembly; engaging a second portion of the attachment assembly facingthe first portion of the attachment assembly with a rearward-facingsurface of the chassis facing the second portion of the attachmentassembly and facing opposite the first surface of the chassis, with thesecond portion being fixedly coupled to the first portion and the firstand second portions being flexibly coupled to the attachment assembly,the first portion accessible from a region external to the chassisadjacent the forward-facing surface of the chassis; and engaging withthe forward-facing surface of the chassis a third portion of theattachment assembly positioned toward a second surface of the computercomponent, the second surface of the computer component facing generallyopposite the first surface of the computer component.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, further comprising inserting the component into an aperture ofthe chassis.
 11. The method of claim 9, further comprising: insertingthe component into an aperture of the chassis; and biasing the componenttoward a surface of the aperture.
 12. The method of claim 9 wherein thecomputer component has a first surface with a first aperture extendingtherein and a second surface having a second aperture extending thereinand the act of releasably coupling the attachment assembly comprises:inserting a first protrusion attached to the assembly into the firstaperture of the component; and inserting a second protrusion attached tothe assembly into the second aperture of the component to substantiallyrestrict motion of the assembly relative to the component.
 13. Themethod of claim 12 wherein the first protrusion extends away from afirst surface of the assembly and the second protrusion extends awayfrom a second surface of the assembly, further comprising: spreading thefirst and second surfaces of the assembly apart to remove the firstprotrusion from the first aperture.
 14. The method of claim 12 whereininserting the first and second protrusions results in clamping thecomponent between surfaces of the assembly.
 15. The method of claim 12wherein inserting the first protrusion results in biasing at least thefirst protrusion toward the first aperture of the component.
 16. Themethod of claim 12 wherein inserting the second protrusion into thesecond aperture results in resisting pivotal motion of the assemblyabout the first protrusion.
 17. The method of claim 12 wherein insertingthe first protrusion into the first aperture results in resistingpivotal motion of the assembly about the second protrusion.
 18. Themethod of claim 12 wherein inserting the second protrusion into thesecond aperture results in resisting motion of the first protrusion outof the first aperture.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein inserting thefirst protrusion into the first aperture results in resisting motion ofthe second protrusion out of the second aperture.
 20. A method forrestraining motion of a computer component relative to a chassis, thecomputer component having a first surface with a first apertureextending therein and a second surface with a second ate extendingtherein, the method comprising: inserting a first protrusion attached toan attachment assembly into the first aperture of the component;inserting a second protrusion attached to the assembly into the secondaperture of the component, wherein inserting the first and secondprotrusions results in clamping the component between surfaces of theassembly; engaging a first portion of the attachment assembly with afirst surface of the chassis facing the first portion; and engaging asecond portion of the attachment assembly facing the first portion ofthe attachment assembly with a second surface of the chassis facing thesecond portion and facing opposite the fit surface of the chassis toresist motion of the computer component toward or away from the chassis,with the second portion of fixedly coupled to the first portion and thefirst and second portions being flexibly coupled to the attachmentassembly, the first portion being accessible from a region external tothe chassis adjacent to the first surface.
 21. The method of claim 20wherein inserting the first protrusion results in biasing at least thefirst protrusion toward the first aperture of the component.
 22. Themethod of claim 20 wherein insert the first protrusion into the firstaperture results in resisting motion of the second protrusion out of thesecond aperture.
 23. The method of claim 20 wherein inserting the secondprotrusion into the second aperture results in resisting pivotal motionof the assembly about the first protrusion.
 24. The method of claim 20wherein inserting the first protrusion into the first aperture resultsin resisting pivotal motion of the assembly about the second protrusion.25. The method of claim 20, further comprising inserting the componentinto an aperture of the chassis.
 26. The method of claim 20, furthercomprising: inserting the component into an aperture of the chassis; andbiasing the component toward a surface of the aperture.
 27. A method forrestraining motion of a computer component relative to a chassis, thecomputer component having a first surface with a first apertureextending therein and a second surface with a second aperture adtherein, the method comprising: inserting a first protrusion attached toan attachment assembly into the first aperture of the component;inserting a second protrusion attached to the assembly into the secondaperture of the component to substantially restrict motion of theassembly relative to the component wherein inserting the secondprotrusion into the second aperture results in resisting motion of thefirst protrusion out of the first aperture; engaging a first portion ofthe attachment assembly with a it surface of the chassis facing thefirst portion; and engaging a second portion of the attachment assemblyfacing the first portion of the attachment assembly with a secondsurface of the chassis facing the second portion and facing opposite thefirst surface of the chassis to resist motion of the computer componenttoward or away from the chassis, with the second portion fixedly coupledto the first portion and the first and second portions being flexiblycoupled to the attachment assembly, the first portion being accessiblefrom a region external to the chassis adjacent to the first surface. 28.The method of claim 20 wherein inserting the first protrusion results inbiasing at least the first protrusion toward the first apse of thecomponent.
 29. The method of claim 27 wherein inserting the firstprotrusion into the first aperture results in resisting motion of thesecond protrusion out of the second aperture.
 30. The method of claim 27wherein the second protrusion into the second aperture results inresisting pivotal motion of the assembly about the first protrusion. 31.The method of claim 27 wherein inserting the first protrusion into thefirst aperture results in resisting pivotal motion of the assembly aboutthe second protrusion.
 32. The method of claim 27, further comprisinginserting the component into an aperture of the chassis.
 33. The methodof claim 27, further comprising: inserting the component into anaperture of the chassis; and biasing the component toward a surface ofthe aperture.